Home tour: Inside Kuala Lumpur’s Lapatoo House, a light-filled family haven

Fabian Tan Architect reimagines tropical living through Japanese spatial principles in Kuala Lumpur

In one of Kuala Lumpur’s upscale neighbourhoods, the Lapatoo House harmonises Malaysian tropical modernism with Japanese spatial principles. Designed by Fabian Tan Architect, this family home shapes a dialogue between contemporary architecture and cultural heritage.

“The house was conceived as a singular volume that connects spaces both horizontally and vertically,” says Fabian Tan, founder of Fabian Tan Architect. This vision materialises most dramatically in the home’s three-storey void, crowned by a timber-clad pitched ceiling with a strategic skylight.

Above The Lapatoo House's clean geometric exterior features a cantilevered upper floor and sleek grey privacy gates

Above The rooftop terrace serves as a private retreat away from the main living areas

The Lapatoo House's clean geometric exterior features a cantilevered upper floor and sleek grey privacy gates

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The natural light filters through this central space throughout the day, creating patterns that transform the interior atmosphere.

The 5,000 sq ft home’s Japanese influence emerges from the moment of entry. A sunken foyer creates a transitional space before opening to the fluid living areas.

The infinity pool seamlessly integrates with the deck level

The pool pavilion embodies Tan's vision of tropical modernism

A suspended egg chair adds a playful touch to the poolside design, complementing the home’s clean architectural lines

Photo 1 of 3 The infinity pool seamlessly integrates with the deck level

Photo 2 of 3 The pool pavilion embodies Tan's vision of tropical modernism

Photo 3 of 3 A suspended egg chair adds a playful touch to the poolside design, complementing the home’s clean architectural lines

The infinity pool seamlessly integrates with the deck level

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The open-plan ground floor flows to the front, rear, and side deck, where an infinity pool’s edge meets precisely with the deck level.

A covered lounge pavilion overlooks the landscaped garden, creating intermediate spaces that reference traditional Japanese architecture while fulfilling the needs of tropical living.

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Above The three-story void is crowned by a dramatic timber-clad pitched ceiling with a strategically placed skylight

Above A beam of natural light from the skylight creates ever-changing patterns throughout the day

The three-story void is crowned by a dramatic timber-clad pitched ceiling with a strategically placed skylight

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At the centre of the house, the three-storey void visually and spatially links the ground and first floors.

The staircase to the first floor follows the angular boundary wall, while the second-floor stair runs perpendicular, allowing light to filter into the stairwell voids.

Contemporary furnishings create a sophisticated living space that opens directly to the pool terrace

The double-height void demonstrates what Tan calls a singular volume that connects both horizontally and vertically

The open-plan design flows seamlessly from the living area to the kitchen, where walnut cabinetry adds warmth to the crisp white interior

Photo 1 of 3 Contemporary furnishings create a sophisticated living space that opens directly to the pool terrace

Photo 2 of 3 The double-height void demonstrates what Tan calls a singular volume that connects both horizontally and vertically

Photo 3 of 3 The open-plan design flows seamlessly from the living area to the kitchen, where walnut cabinetry adds warmth to the crisp white interior

Contemporary furnishings create a sophisticated living space that opens directly to the pool terrace

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The first floor reveals the strongest Japanese architectural influence, with a corridor that loops around the central void, connecting the master and children’s bedrooms through large sliding doors.

The central void is crowned by a timber-clad pitched ceiling

The dramatic three-story void is crowned by a timber-clad pitched ceiling with a strategic skylight

The first-floor corridor loops around the central void, featuring warm timber flooring and white railings

The minimalist upper-floor gallery showcases Tan’s play of geometry,

Photo 1 of 4 The central void is crowned by a timber-clad pitched ceiling

Photo 2 of 4 The dramatic three-story void is crowned by a timber-clad pitched ceiling with a strategic skylight

Photo 3 of 4 The first-floor corridor loops around the central void, featuring warm timber flooring and white railings

Photo 4 of 4 The minimalist upper-floor gallery showcases Tan’s play of geometry,

The central void is crowned by a timber-clad pitched ceiling

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The floor cantilevers outward on all sides with a concrete finish, shading the deck areas below and defining the exterior.

The steeply pitched roof, extending on three sides, features slender edge details that unify the architectural language.

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The kitchen combines matte black overhead cabinetry with walnut base units and a waterfall-edge island

The ground floor living space reveals the home's personal touches, with musical instruments and art pieces

The home office features a custom timber desk and built-in glass-fronted shelving

Photo 1 of 3 The kitchen combines matte black overhead cabinetry with walnut base units and a waterfall-edge island

Photo 2 of 3 The ground floor living space reveals the home's personal touches, with musical instruments and art pieces

Photo 3 of 3 The home office features a custom timber desk and built-in glass-fronted shelving

The kitchen combines matte black overhead cabinetry with walnut base units and a waterfall-edge island

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The rooftop level houses a private entertainment room, while a concealed rooftop space at the apex of the roof pitch provides an elevated vantage point over the surrounding views.

Above The angular geometry of the stairs echoes the home's exterior form

Above Strategic placement of skylights transforms the stairwell into what Tan calls a vertical garden of light

The angular geometry of the stairs echoes the home's exterior form

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Set on a 6,150-square-foot plot, the home’s square form mirrors the geometry of the land while creating distinct zones for arrival, living, and outdoor entertainment.

Photo 1 of 2 A detail of the timber-clad pitched ceiling

Photo 2 of 2 Natural light floods through floor-to-ceiling windows while offering glimpses of the lush tropical landscape

A detail of the timber-clad pitched ceiling

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The cultural fusion shows in the details: the joinery of the timber elements, the framing of garden views, and the orchestration of natural light throughout the spaces.

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Above The entertainment room on the top floor offers panoramic views of the city skyline

Above In the master bathroom, a minimalist aesthetic prevails with large-format tiles and a freestanding tub

The entertainment room on the top floor offers panoramic views of the city skyline

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The result is a home that brings together the best of two architectural traditions.

The adaptation of Japanese spatial concepts to Malaysia’s tropical climate creates a contemporary residence that feels both innovative and timeless.

As night falls, the ground floor becomes a glowing lantern reflected in the pool's surface

At sunset, the pool pavilion comes alive with subtle lighting that highlights its floating roof design

At dusk, concealed lighting accentuates the timber-clad pitched ceiling, creating a warm ambiance in the upper floor gallery

Photo 1 of 3 As night falls, the ground floor becomes a glowing lantern reflected in the pool's surface

Photo 2 of 3 At sunset, the pool pavilion comes alive with subtle lighting that highlights its floating roof design

Photo 3 of 3 At dusk, concealed lighting accentuates the timber-clad pitched ceiling, creating a warm ambiance in the upper floor gallery

As night falls, the ground floor becomes a glowing lantern reflected in the pool's surface

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Through the thoughtful manipulation of light, space, and form, Lapatoo House achieves a rare balance between architectural ambition and cultural sensitivity, creating spaces that are as practical as they are poetic

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Modern Malaysian Architecture Luxury Home Design Tropical Modern House Kuala Lumpur Architecture Interior Design Malaysia Contemporary Asian Home Luxury Real Estate Architectural Innovation

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